20 May Fountainhead Residency and Studios Announces the Return of Artists Open
With much anticipation after a socially distant year, Fountainhead is thrilled to announce the second in-person edition of Artists Open, its Miami-Dade County-wide open studios event offering the public access to over 250 artists studios across the county. Artists Open will be held on May 8, 2021 from 11:00am to 6:00pm. To keep artists and attendees safe, a mask requirement and social distance protocols will be in place. Aligned with Fountainhead’s mission to elevate the voices, visibility, and value of artists in our society and make their work accessible, Artists Open is the only open studios event of its kind offering locals an opportunity to engage with artists.
Artists Open is designed to eliminate barriers of entry into the arts by inviting the public to engage with artists in their studios – a perspective of the artist’s practice that is rarely seen. Creating an open studios event encourages locals to see artists as approachable and accessible, and facilitates a more intimate relationship between artists and local audiences. Many artists studios are located in neighborhoods that lack significant cultural offerings; Artists Open ensures that people across Miami-Dade County can form bonds with the art-making that takes place right in their own backyard. Many of the works within artists’ studios will be available for sale, further cementing the program’s intent to make artists’ careers more sustainable.
To organize the event, Fountainhead has created a Google map with the specific location of participating artists’ studios. Attendees can simply log into the Map to easily navigate and plan their visits. Participating artists studios will be clearly marked with pink Artists Open banners. Because many of the studios are not generally open to the public, information regarding ADA accessibility, parking and nearby public transportation is being provided for each location on Fountainhead’s website.
Kathryn Mikesell, co-founder and Executive Director of Fountainhead, says that Artists Open is a catalyst for deeper connection and support in our community. “We truly believe that intimate access to artists and art moves us to understand ourselves, each other and the world around us, leading us to connect, repair and imagine,” she says. “Artists Open creates the perfect opportunity to directly support artists and begin living with art as most artists will have works available to purchase.”
In addition to many stand-alone artists studios, most of Miami’s major studio complexes will participate in the event, including 8365 Studios, Fountainhead Studios, Visual Art Group, the Milk District, The Collective 62, Laundromat Art Space, ArtHood 56, Doral Art Studios, Hialeah Arts District, Bakehouse Art Complex, 27/20 Studios, Oolite Arts, Void Projects, Calle Ocho Arts District, 4700 @ Bird Road Arts District and Dimensions Variable.
“Artists Open demonstrates conclusively that we have great and diverse artists living and working here. This event provides the public with a unique ‘behind-the-scenes’ opportunity to demystify the magical, inviting us to see artists’ studios, the very working environment where imagination and creativity thrive,” said Michael Spring, Director of the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs.
Artists Open was taken virtual in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and more than 90 artists offered virtual tours of their studios via Instagram Live. The program garnered over 500,000 impressions during its run.
Artists Open is partially funded by John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Miami Foundation, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Jorge M. Perez Family Foundation.
About Fountainhead Residency and Studios
Fountainhead’s mission is to elevate the voices, visibility and value of artists in our society and make their work accessible to a global community. Offering a year-round residency program, flexible and affordable artists’ studios, and a series of career-focused programs, Fountainhead empowers artists to build thriving careers while cultivating and nurturing a community that supports them and their work. Harnessing the power in our diversity, Fountainhead is building a family of artists and appreciators, one personal connection at a time.
